The Titans would be better off taking a cornerback with their first-round pick than selecting mock-draft favorite Anthony Barr, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Wednesday.

The Titans do need to replace Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner, but they have at least two potential candidates already on the roster in Coty Sensabaugh and Blidi Wreh-Wilson.

Still, Kiper believes the Titans would do well to take Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard or Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert with the 11th overall pick in the May 8-10 draft instead of Barr, a linebacker from UCLA.

"They need help at corner," Kiper said in a conference call. "Do you like Dennard or do you like Gilbert?"

Of the two, Kiper prefers the 5-foot-11, 199-pound Dennard, who's considered a physical, aggressive cornerback that can play press coverage and contribute to the run defense.

By Jim Wyatt | The Tennessean | Titans Insider | The Titans are scheduled to make six picks in the May 8-10 NFL Draft. They are currently without a third-rounder because they traded it last year to move up in the order to pick wide receiver Justin Hunter. It's never too early to start projecting the draft, however, so here is my Titans Mock Draft Version 1: (Photo: File / AP Photo)

Round 1 | 11th overall | Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA | The Titans are seeking impact players to fit their new "hybrid" defense and they desperately need a dynamic pass rusher from the edge. Barr is the perfect fit. New Titans linebackers coach Lou Spanos was his defensive coordinator at UCLA, and Barr could line up as a 4-3 defensive end or stand up as a rushing linebacker in a 3-4. One potential problem: Barr's stock appears to be rising, which could make him a top-10 pick. (Photo: AP Photo / Michael Conroy)

Round 2 | 42nd overall | Tre Mason, RB, Auburn | It was a heck of a run for Chris Johnson, but the Titans can't keep him at $8 million. Bank on him being released. To be honest, however, I can't see the Titans picking a running back this early in the draft (they're probably thinking offensive tackle). But I'd go with a running back. While Shonn Greene had his moments last season, the Titans need a more dynamic option. Enter Mason, the SEC rushing leader last year and a Heisman Trophy finalist. He compares to Ray Rice on the field and would soften Johnson's absence. (Photo: AP Photo / Michael Conroy)

Round 4 | 12th in round | Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee | A year after revamping the interior line, it's time to address the tackle position. Right tackle David Stewart is unlikely to be re-signed because of his health (shoulder/leg) and a big salary ($6.4 million). Left tackle Michael Roos is heading into the final year of his contract. James is a big (6-foot-6, 311 pounds), underrated player who was overshadowed by Antonio Richardson at UT, but he's capable of starting as a rookie. (Photo: AP Photo / Michael Conroy)

Round 5 | 11th in round | Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia | Murray's stock will likely drop because of a knee injury, but that could work in favor of the Titans. If he's still on the board at this point, he's worth picking. Heck, I'd consider him in the fourth round. With Jake Locker's injury history, it's time for the Titans to protect themselves. Murray would be the perfect guy even if he's slightly undersized (he stands a tad over 6 feet). He was an extremely productive college player who can spin it. (Photo: AP Photo / Michael Conroy)

Round 6 | 10th in round | Marqueston Huff, DB, Wyoming | The Titans like versatility in the secondary, and Huff would provide it. He played cornerback earlier in his career and then converted to safety. He could play the nickel, which would give the Titans even more flexibility if cornerback Alterraun Verner leaves as a free agent. Huff ran an impressive 40-yard dash (4.49 seconds) at the combine. (Photo: AP Photo / Michael Conroy)

Round 7 | 13th in round | Tevin Reese, WR, Baylor | Yes, the Titans already have one Baylor wideout on the roster in Kendall Wright. Reese isn't big (5-10, 163), and he needs to get stronger, but he's lightning-quick and could be great in the slot, which would free up Wright on the outside. His college highlight video is impressive and he had a strong combine. (Photo: AP Photo / Michael Conroy)

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"He's a rough, tough, aggressive football player and he plays with a chip on his shoulder," Kiper said. "He's very good in coverage, plays faster than his speed (4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash). He's just a whale of a football player."

The 6-foot, 202-pound Gilbert is likely more athletic and faster (4.37), and is rated by many analysts as the top cornerback.

"He is just not physical enough in run support," Kiper said of Gilbert. "You (also) have to be able to tackle after the catch. That's the underrated part of playing corner. It's not just supporting the run. The most important thing is tackling in the open field after the catch. There are times I saw him struggle."

Kiper also has reservations about the 6-5, 255-pound Barr, a player many have linked to the Titans because of his potential to fit in with new defensive coordinator Ray Horton's hybrid schemes.

A former fullback, Barr switched to defense two years ago and played under current Titans linebackers coach Lou Spanos. Barr is considered a tremendous athlete and a natural pass-rushing threat in a 3-4 defense.

"I thought he looked like a top-10 pick last year had he come out," Kiper said. "Now ... you're rolling the dice that all that talent will be turned into consistent production. I think this year Barr played like an offensive player. He needs to get a little more tenacious, improve his technique. He's still learning."

Kiper sees Barr going in the latter half of the first round, "more in the 20s than the top 15. I think he needs a lot of work. He needs a lot of coaching. He's got talent. But (11) is a little early for me."

Other Kiper comments of note from Wednesday's conference call:

On why it appears Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's stock has fallen: "You have a pro day like his, the red flag goes up. Everybody goes back to look at every game and scrutinizes it. You saw some inaccurate throws. You some throws that didn't necessarily have the velocity that you wanted. That kind of worked in conjunction with the pro day.

"You know, not wearing the glove (at his pro day). Even when he wore the glove, he had some issues this year. The completion percentage and the touchdown-to-interception ratio were great, but the schedule was very mediocre. I think that all plays into where he is right now, as a quarterback that could go early in the second round. That's where I see him possibly going."

On the top safety prospects, Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville's Calvin Pryor: "Clinton-Dix has range, he can cover and he's a pretty good tackler. (But) I've seen him miss an open-field tackle or two. Pryor is just lights out. He competes, he has the coverage ability and he makes a lot of plays in coverage. … I'm going to probably make Pryor the top safety slightly over Clinton-Dix."

On why Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin's stock may be rising: "What helps Martin is the fact he could play left tackle, right tackle or guard. The fact he's been (a tackle) for 50-plus games, the fact that he had a great Senior Bowl week no matter who he was up against. The kid is a reliable, consistent player. He'll come in right away and help you. He is a safe pick. He could really go anywhere in the top 17 for a team that needs an offensive lineman."